Michigan Graduation Rate Hits New High

Rise Fueled by Increases in Rigorous Secondary School Program Participation, Including CTE

LANSING – Michigan’s 2024 four-year graduation rate improved to the highest level since the state adopted the federal formula for calculating the rate in 2008, according to data released today.

The four-year graduation rate of 82.8% increased from 81.8% in 2023, the Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) reported.

“I’m proud of the hard work of Michigan students, educators, support staff, families, and communities to increase the percentage of students who are graduating from high school,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “High school graduation opens the door to postsecondary credential attainment at two- and four-year institutions of higher education as well as in training programs that lead to a wide range of industry credentials. Postsecondary degrees and credentials help Michiganders earn a good living, support a family, and achieve their career dreams.”

The new data represent progress toward Goal 5 in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, to increase the percentage of all students who graduate from high school. Rigorous secondary school programs in Michigan such as Career and Technical Education have contributed to the improved graduation rate. These programs are the focus of Goal 4, to expand secondary learning opportunities.

Career and Technical Education programs provide students with opportunities to experience work-based learning in career paths such as skilled trades, agriculture, public safety, information technology, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, among many others.

The other rigorous secondary school programs are dual enrollment, which allows students to earn college credit while in high school; Early Middle College, which provides for high school students to enroll in and complete a college program of study while in high school; advanced placement courses, college-level classes taken in high school; and International Baccalaureate, which provides a rigorous international education. All these programs have experienced increases in the last three years to levels that exceed pre-pandemic numbers and some to historic levels.

“These rigorous secondary school programs—CTE, dual enrollment, early middle college, advanced placement, and international baccalaureate—contribute to improved graduation rates by engaging students deeply in learning,” Dr. Rice said. “When students are exposed to courses of study that interest them, they are more likely to graduate—and at the same time are preparing for rewarding careers.”

In the 2023-24 school year, 112,156 students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs, the third year of increases totaling more than 9,000 students, or 9%, since the 2020-21 school year. During the last three years, the number of CTE completers—students that took an entire program of study rather than a single CTE course or two—also increased, by almost 8,400 students, or 19 percent, to 52,625, the highest level in Michigan history. The State Board of Education and Michigan Department of Education are advocating for the legislature to provide additional funding to expand the programs. At the department’s request, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has included additional funding in her executive budget recommendation for fiscal year 2026.

"As a mom of two high school graduates, I know how many soccer games, flashcards, and ACT prep courses go into getting your child across the stage to receive their diploma. That’s why I’m so proud that Michigan’s graduation rate has reached an all-time high,” said Gov. Whitmer. “Since I took office, we’ve made record, bipartisan investments into our children’s education and I’m committed to working with anyone to make sure Michigan parents and students have the support they need to make it to the finish line. From pre-K for all to free breakfast and lunch at school, let’s keep working together to lower costs for families, make sure students can focus on learning, and help them graduate ready to succeed at life.” 

Michigan’s four-year graduation rates increased for 14 of 17 subgroups of students. The largest rate increases were for American Indian or Alaskan Native students (3.4 percentage points), multiracial students (3.5 percentage points), and English language learners (3.4 percentage points).

“I am excited to see progress in graduation rates and on the goals in Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan,” said State Board of Education President Dr. Pamela Pugh. “The board will continue to support all learners and emphasize the importance of stakeholders working together toward these common education goals.”

Dr. Rice said: “While Michigan is showing noteworthy progress, we still have room for improvement. Local school districts, intermediate school districts, and the department will redouble efforts to improve graduation rates, particularly in schools that need more support to close these gaps.”

Michigan’s other efforts to support raising graduation rates include:

• Graduation Guidance documents from MDE and other educational leaders. The guidance contains resources associated with four research-based strategies: absenteeism interventions, academic enrichment and tutorial support, extracurricular engagement, and mentoring. 
• The early intervention dropout prevention program called the Early Warning Intervention and Monitoring System that MDE makes available to schools. This system is a seven-step process of examining data and making decisions about supports and interventions to help students get back on track for graduation and success.
• Personal curriculum. Through a personal curriculum, students can take courses aligned to their interests and post-high school educational and professional goals while completing the Michigan Merit Curriculum high school graduation requirements. During the 2022-23 school year, 12,840 Michigan students had a personal curriculum, which represented 2.7% of students. That’s up from 9,656 students, or 1.9% of students, five years earlier.

Michigan Graduation Rates. Source: CEPI

Graduation and dropout rates can be found on CEPI’s MI School Data website (www.mischooldata.org) or by going to Grad/Dropout Rate. Under the site’s K-12 Grade Students section, visitors can select a school or district or compare one district to another. A bureau within the State Budget Office, CEPI facilitates collecting, managing, and reporting public education data required by state and federal law. CEPI’s MI School Data website is Michigan's official education data portal to help residents, educators, and policymakers make informed decisions that can lead to improved success for our students.

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